The Mayne Tigers have been crowned the QFA Division 5 premiers after holding off a spirited last quarter comeback by Collingwood Park to win by 13 points.
The first half was a tight affair as only 7 points separated the two teams at the main break, before Mayne utilised the advantage of the breeze to take a 31 point lead into the final quarter. With Collingwood Park kicking to the scoring end in the last – 11 of the games 13 goals were kicked with the breeze, the game stepped up a notch. 3 quick goals to the Power, including a team lifting long bomb from Ashley Rowley, made it a tense and frantic finish. It was to be Tiger’s night though, as the proud club fought desperately enough to hold on.
The healthy crowd at Coorparoo were entertained not only by the tight contest, but also a number of individual highlights. Adam Minchev started the scoring for Mayne with a long set shot from outside 50 as 1 of his 3 first half goals. The Power’s Christopher Harrold might have earned the nickname ‘candy man’ after plenty of show-and-go’s, while Matt David (Mayne) channeled his inner Riewoldt with a courageous mark going back with the flight. Kaden Leadbetter, full back for the Power, would have received glowing accolades from Spud Frawley for his golden fist spoils, as well as entertaining the crowd with a huge barrel from a kick in that would have made Peter Yagmoor proud.
Ruckmen Tom Ditchburn and Brendan Kucks had a grueling battle, with both players taking strong marks around the game and featuring in their side’s best players. Ray Heppell provided plenty of in and under work for the Power, as well as a goal, to be given their best player for the night, while Sempatike Kwizera showcased his speed on a number of occasions.
It was Mayne’s Dylan Oats however that was deemed to have been the best player on the night, awarded the Best on Ground medal after a consistent 4 quarter effort that saw him win a huge amount of contested footy, apply plenty of tackles and also finish with a goal.
Both coaches spoke glowingly at the post game presentation about the spirit in which the game was played, as well as the new competition structure that saw 2 Friday night divisions emerge.
We do it all again next week at Coorparoo 7:30pm for the Division 4 Grand Final between north side rivals Zillmere and Sandgate, after the Hawks defeated Western Magpies by 9 points in last night’s preliminary final.
